Testicular prosthesis insertion following testicular loss or atrophy during early childhood--technical aspects and evaluation of patient satisfaction.
BACKGROUND
The absence of a testis may be a major traumatic experience with possible consequent negative behavioral impact. The current study is aimed to assess young adults who had lost their testicles early in childhood and subsequently underwent testicular prosthesis (TP) implantation at the end of their adolescence.


METHODS
Nineteen patients aged 19.4 years on average underwent TP implantation following testicular loss at early childhood. A postal anonymous questionnaire was sent to the patients and 13 (68%) replied.


RESULTS
Average follow-up was 50 months. Sixty-two percent of patients believed TP size were equal or close to the size of their native testicle, while 23% claimed it was too small. Similarly, 54% had the impression its weight was appropriate, while 38% claimed it was too heavy and 38% supposed its location was too high in the scrotum. However, 85% considered it "very comfortable" or "comfortable" and 77% got used to its presence within 1-4 weeks following surgery. All patients precluded any obstacle in intimate relationships. In accordance, all of them would recommend the operation to a friend with a similar problem.


CONCLUSIONS
TP implantation in adolescents with an undeveloped scrotum is a highly successful surgical procedure. The operation positively influences self-confidence, inter-personal interactions and intimate relationships.
Zilberman
D
D
Department of Urology, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, 52621 Tel-Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel. dorit.zilberman@gmail.com
Winkler
H
H
Kleinmann
N
N
Raviv
G
G
Chertin
B
B
Ramon
J
J
Mor
Y
Y